Jennifer Kilgour

I'd like to thank the brave souls who ventured out to Eczema House yesterday for our open day. That was some weather. Despite the crazy storm, we had great fun during our open day, the mulled wine was flowing and the mince pies were getting scoffed. Our spirits refused to be dampened even when Brian's attempt at making his batch of mulled wine turned a little beefy, with definite overtones of sweaty sock. We found out you shouldn't use a well used cast iron soup pot for making mulled wine. A great big thank you to our stall holders; Lynsey Cosham's Art Angel, Linzi Fergusson's Twa Burds Soaps, Cat and David at Glasgow Chilli Guy and Lindsay Watson's Tyrannosaurus Spandex. Also to Nick Watson for providing his delicious Latin Street food, keep an eye out for him BBQing near you soon, and to the Quaker Meeting House for lending us tables.Watch out for updates of future events, we're hoping to make this a regular thing but let's hope the weather will be kinder to us next time.

Exhibition news for me is my last exhibition opening for the year will be Monday 16th Dec (and also my birthday!) night at the Winners Exhibition in Cocktail & Burger in Sauchiehall Street from 7.30. A couple of months ago there was a portrait competition curated by Michelle Cohen of Grey Wolf Art and I got 2nd prize! Part of the prize was a group exhibition with Stu Murphy (first prize) and Marianne Vosloo (third prize), so this is it. I've got about seven portraits in and they've got deal on for opening guests a cocktail and burger for £12, I'm going for it, hope you will too.

Otherwise, whatever you do this time of year, I hope you have a marvellous time. See you in the new year.

In the building where I have my studio there are a whole bunch of small independent businesses and we decided to have an open day on Saturday 14th Dec 12noon til 6pm for Xmas shoppers to invite and encourage you, the public, to come and see what we're up to. We're in the affectionately named Eczema House at 141/143 West Regent Street, Glasgow G2 2SG.

Come and visit Jeff and his new sidekick Archie in Rig Bike Shop where Brian and the guys will be providing bike expertise to everyone so you can consult with Santa about that all important new bicycle purchase for Christmas. You can also get your caffeine fill from Ingrid who will be manning the teas and coffees in the cafe.

If 4 wheels are more your style then see Lindsay at 5th Blocker Skates who will furnish you with skating and Roller Derby knowledge and kit. On the day, Lindsay will also have her range of fashion on sale as Tyrannosaurus Spandex. Mark & Tony will have their super cool Devil's Own Apparel where you can buy skateboards, comic artwork, urban wear and more. I believe Jetpace Industries t-shirt workshop, t-shirt printers to the stars (well, local Glasgow bands), may have some exclusive shirts on the go. I, of course, will be having my studio open with original artwork and prints for sale. So many excellent and fabulous gift buying opportunities.

Feathers - oil on canvas

What a selection of amazing goodies on show, I hear you say! Well, we are good to you but it doesn't even stop there. We're also going to have stalls from handmade soap purveyors Linzi & Ashley's Twa Burds Soaps, cards and jewellery from Lynsey's Art Angel, raging hot sauces from Matt the Glasgow Chilli Guy and Nick will be doing awesome things with brioche and chorizo!

Not only that there will be free, yeah you heard it, free mulled wine and mince pies (subject to availability, get in quick before they run out!). There is also a probability that there will be entertainment happening in the form of African drumming and a possibility of performance poetry. This could be a once in a lifetime opportunity to see performance poetry at Rig Bike Shop. Hold on to your hats people!

A great night was had by all last Wednesday at the opening of "All the Small Things" group exhibition. 26 artists and over 80 works, it was some hanging the day before I can tell ya. Got there in the end and I do think the place looks great. So if you're in need of a special and unique Christmas present go into Bar Ten, Mitchell Lane (opposite the Lighthouse) and get yourself a bargain. I even sold some prints on the preview night so I'm well chuffed, my wee woodland critters seem to have gone down very well.

Following on from that, amidst the frenzy currently rampaging through the shops, there will be extra opportunity to spend your hard earned bucks at "Ezcema House". The building where my studio is located and affectionately named after a skin disease is a quirky place by no means and that includes the lovely folk who work there. 141 & 143 West Regent Street in Glasgow hosts Rig Bike Shop, 5th Blocker Skates, Devil's Own Apparel, Jetpace Industries as well as my studio Lady K & Bones (that will be shortly having a name change due to a new studio mate). To advertise our whereabouts and what we do, we're having a wee open day on Sat 14th Dec, 12 - 6pm when you are invited to join us for a wee mulled wine and a mince pie while you peruse the interesting and unique items on offer. We do hope you can pop in and see us.

On the Monday after that (the 16th), I believe there will be the opening night of the winners of Cocktail & Burger's Portrait Competition. Myself, Stu Murphy and Marianne Vosloo will be sharing wall space at Cocktail and Burger once again showcasing our work. It's going to be more portraits from me but I'm looking forward to seeing what the other guys put up. As it will be my birthday the same night I think it should be a good night. Let the festivities begin!